The Ministry of Internal Affairs announced that the number of road traffic accidents nationwide decreased by 41 percent in July. This was reported by Upl.uz.
However, according to open statistical data, the number of accidents in the capital, Tashkent, is at a record high, indicating systemic problems in ensuring road traffic safety. According to the official report, law enforcement agencies recorded 707 thousand violations of traffic rules last month.
As a result of intensified inspections, approximately 85 thousand vehicles were towed to impound lots, and more than 153 thousand drivers were warned for stopping in prohibited areas. The Ministry of Internal Affairs emphasized that efforts to upgrade road infrastructure are being intensified to improve road traffic safety.
Modern traffic lights and new road signs are being installed, pedestrian crossings are being established, and illegally installed traffic restrictions are being removed. Although a positive trend is observed nationwide, the situation in Tashkent is causing serious concern.
The monthly dynamics of road traffic accidents in the capital show a steady increase in accidents in recent years. This situation undermines statements about official successes and reveals the ineffectiveness of local policies aimed at reducing road traffic accidents.
The worsening of the problem is caused by excessive congestion of the road network. Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Bekmurod Abdullaev previously emphasized that the efforts of inspectors alone are not enough to fundamentally solve the problem.
According to him, the main issue is that the infrastructure does not correspond to the actual traffic flow. If a road is designed for 20 thousand vehicles but 60 thousand cars enter it daily, congestion cannot be prevented.
Against this backdrop, the capital's administration plans to allocate billions of soms for installing road facilities and constructing raised pedestrian crossings. Although these measures aim to enhance safety, they may not be sufficient without comprehensive solutions to reduce traffic congestion and improve driver culture.
Thus, there is a clear contrast between reports of short-term achievements and long-term negative trends, which is especially evident in the country's main metropolis. According to experts, the economic damage caused by road traffic accidents in Uzbekistan amounts to approximately 0.4 percent of the gross domestic product.
